Steve L

Steelviper,

The name of red torch ginger has changed from Nicolaia Eliator to Etlingera Eliator and I am trying to container grow this ginger. I am close friends with the owners of Stokes Tropicals in New Iberia, LA, the home of Tabasco. It is near Lake Charles where I live. They used to sell this ginger but stopped. They had a pot or two left over and since I visit them several times a year (you can pick up large plants that can't be shipped), they offered me a small piece. I have been told by several people that it might bloom in a 15 gal. container so I am going to try it. It will probably take a couple of years to get it to bloom size if it makes it since I've been told it's extremely cold sensitive but I'm growing Alpinia Purpurata and blooming it in a pot so I'm going to try. I know Alpinia Purpurata won't make it in your area without protection (croaks below 50 F) so you will have to protect the torch ginger since it's at least as cold sensitive as the AP, maybe more. Keep me posted.

Steve